UCLA
California
Late Comeback Not Enough as Bruins Fall to Cal in Overtime
October 11, 2014 | Men's Soccer
Berkeley, Calif. – The UCLA Bruins mounted an incredible comeback, scoring two goals in the final five minutes of regulation, but lost to the Cal Golden Bears, 3-2, in overtime on Friday afternoon at Edwards Stadium. Trailing 2-0 late in the second half, Larry Ndjock got UCLA on the board with an 86th minute header and would be followed soon after by a 90th minute strike off of the foot of Javan Torre, the first of his career. However, Christian Thierjung provided the backbreaking golden goal for Cal in the first overtime to deliver the defeat.
UCLA (6-3-2, 1-1 in the Pac-12) saw itself locked in a fast paced affair early on in the first half. Earning his second straight start, freshman Abu Danladi looked dangerous up top for the Bruins, but being the only striker in the formation proved difficult for the young Ghanaian. Despite playing well, the Bruins found it challenging to garner quality attempts on net with the lone striker up top. The best chance came in the 25th minute when Nathan Smith sent a brilliant through ball in traffic to Andrew Tusaazemajja who fired from three yards out on net, but was denied by Golden Bears goalkeeper Justin Taillole. Cal (7-3, 1-2 in the Pac-12) would soon after capitalize on a set piece with a headed goal from Stefano Bonomo in the 41st minute, his seventh of the year, to put the Bears ahead, 1-0, entering halftime.
The Bruins opened the second frame with a much more offensive posture, adding a second striker to support Danladi at the top. The change in formation paid off to the tune of several good chances for UCLA early in the second half, highlighted by a Danladi to Leo Stolz connection in the 50th minute that forced Taillole to make another difficult save from in close. With UCLA sending more players into the offensive third, it left the back end susceptible to counter-attacks, none being more costly than Cal's second goal of the game from forward Paul Salcedo in the 79th minute. With defenseman Nick Lima pushing the ball down the right side of the field, Salcedo made his run behind the Bruin backline and finished from inside the box for his second of the year.
Trailing by two goals, UCLA went into desperation mode late in regulation to attempt to force overtime. The resilient Bruins finally found the back of the net in the 86th minute when Ndjock headed in a well-played cross from freshman Seyi Adekoya. Then, with just 30 seconds left in regular time, UCLA defenseman Javan Torre had a ball deflected in his direction and he made it count, finishing with true class. The junior blasted a ball into the bottom right corner from inside the penalty box, the first goal of his career, to force the game into extra time.
In overtime, each team only managed one shot, but the Golden Bears converted their attempt to seal the Bruins fate. Senior Max Oldham spotted sophomore Thierjung making a run into the box and fed a well-placed through ball to the strikers foot for the game-winning goal. Goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. had no chance with Thierjung in alone on net.
The loss marks the first defeat for the Bruins in a Pac-12 road match since 2010. Prior to the loss, UCLA had gone 20 straight conference road matches without a defeat.
Overall, UCLA outshot Cal 14-9 and 8-5 in shots on target. In addition, both Cal goal scorers, Bonomo and Salcedo, were assessed yellow cards in the match.
UCLA will continue their road trip on Sunday, October 12 at Stanford. Kick-off is set for 5:00pm PT and the game will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks.
